Ice fishing tips for the 2018 season!

We are well into the 2018 ice fishing season and I have been working on this ice fishing tip post for the last week, as I have always felt it was important to pass along some fishing tips as well as touch on the importance of safety.

This is a short blog post of various tips that will not only keep you all safe on the ice but will help you have more successful ice fishing days, as well as more comfortable days on the hard water.

1) Safety must always be first. Take every step possible to keep yourself, loved ones and friends safe out there.

2) Always let people know where you are heading out to, when you are leaving and when you are planning to return. Make sure your cell phones and GPS units are fully charged and ready when needed.

3) Pack a day bag with extra gloves/mitts, toque, wool socks, first aid kit, safety gear, thermos filled with hot soup or a hot drink, lots of easy snacks like assorted nuts, granola bars, protein bars, instant cup of soup, beef jerky and some Gatorade or Powerade. This bag may be needed one day to help yourself or fellow anglers.

4) Report any major lake or hut concerns, ie. large cracks, unsafe holes in the ice, unsafe conditions in a ice fishing hut, anything out of the ordinary that catches your eye.

5) Have eyes open for unsafe fishing holes that can easily be marked for notifying other anglers, by placing a branch in the hole so it can be seen when people are walking around.

6) Be a respectful and courteous angler by not dumping any remaining live bait down the ice holes. Return it or give it to a fellow angler with a smile!

7) Dress in various layers, with a solid base layer that is not cotton but more of a merino wool or dry fit moisture wick technology. A proper base layer is key to staying warm.

8) Be prepared for not catching fish some days, it happens in the spring and summer months and can happen during ice fishing season. Use the time to practice, try out new baits and even to socialize with fellow anglers.

9) Make sure you have a variety of ice fishing baits, jigging spoons, jig heads, jigging crankbaits, all in various sizes and colors. Having a variety of baits including live bait and various sizes of live bait, can really make a big difference on the success you have.

10) Having different sizes of minnows can keep you on the bite longer when fish change preference in the size of bait they want that day.

11) Respect nature and the outdoors that we all have the pleasure to enjoy by not leaving your garbage in rented huts or around your fishing holes, take it with you and dispose of it properly.

12) Lend a helping hand to any fellow anglers struggling to catch fish or just to share a few tips during an enjoyable chat on your outings. Socializing with fellow anglers allows us all to grow our knowledge, create some memories and most importantly having some fun!

13) Make the time to check weather and lake conditions regularly as temperatures do fluctuate quite frequently throughout the season, so picking the safest ice condition and driving conditions is critical.

14) When possible head out with one or two friends, the more people around the safer the day will feel.